YGGDRASIL a widely enjoyed game played by Millions worldwide, or it was, not on its last night and mere minutes from shut down sat two members of a guild, Ainz Ooal Gown. a guild that held and controlled The Great Tomb of Nazarick. the tomb was already one of the toughest dungeons before the guild conquered it and made it their guild base. now it was a near unbeatable dungeon. however, much like the rest of YGGDRASIL's players, there was a decline in members. leaving one after the other after they said their goodbyes to the leader, Momonga. most quite the game altogether. very few still had an account and even fewer still played it. only one member remained active, Momonga. the undead overlord player was unable to let his and his friend's work in the game go, even if he had to keep up maintenance by himself. any time not spent working was spent in the game. but even he was not shocked by the announcement of the game's shutdown along with all of its servers. it felt to him in a way that he had failed, but despite this, he sent emails out to all former members. almost everyone did not respond except four. but now, it was just him and one other player. an Elder Black Ooze player, Herohero.

just the two of them in the guild meeting hall it made it feel that much more empty. especially to Herohero. 'i am shocked he kept it going' Herohero had thought to himself. he never closed his account and continued to pay the membership fee. but he worked for what was in all but name a Black company, a black-hearted enterprise but that was basically the norm in the year of 2138, and had been for a while. he basically always worked on very little sleep. if he was lucky some nights he got two to three hours of rest before it was back to work, he also found it impossible to get that sleep without his meds. 'oh what I would not give to actually be a slime. never actually needing rest has its perks.'

"I hope they make a sequel to YGGDRASIl." Herohero mentioned in a joking matter but he knew that even if did he would never have the time to play it. "that feels a little sacrilegious to the current game though." Momonga was jesting a little as well but he was also very serious. he did not feel like a sequel could match the same as this one, even if it was dying now.

Herohero chuckled a little "Maybe. but I am glad we got to enjoy this game to the fullest." the player knew he had very little time before work. he had hoped to stay until the end, he wanted to, Momonga had gone through the effort of contacting them all after being the only player maintaining it. he wishes he could meet him out in the real world and thank him. but much like his tired brain, he had very little time. "Thank you for keeping this place going Momonga."

Momonga could see the other about to log out "Leaving so soon?" he asked as there was not much time until the game closed for good.

Herohero would confirm and also add "I have two hours till I have to head to work. I am sorry but I will need all the rest I can get. Goodbye Momonga, thank you again."

Momonga raised his skeleton hand "Wait!" the shout stunned Herohero and made him stop. 'I don't want him to go. I know what kind of person I would be for trying to stop him. but I have to. besides, his company is worse than mine. and that is saying something.' he cleared his throat. "s-sorry for that." he posted an emote of a sweating person. "but, what if for old times sake, we took one last look around the place? looking at the NPCs?"

Herohero looked at Momonga but he was unsure. "I don't know Momonga, I already stayed longer than I should have. I'll get even less rest if I don't leave now."

but Momonga continued to press him "Why not stay until the end?" he knew what he said next was guilt tripping but he just wanted at least one of his former guildmates to be with him at the end. just one. "don't you owe me that much after all this time away?

there was a long pause. even Momonga could not blame Herohero if he chose to leave at this moment. he looked at the timer above, ten minutes remaining. "fine. I at least owe you that much." he was somewhat thankful, one last distraction before he returned to the hell that was his life.

Momonga took the guild leader item, the staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, and moved with Herohero through the eighth floor of the tomb. eventually, they came across the Pleides battle maids and their leader Sebas. the Npcs bowed to the two of them. Momonga gives the command to follow and all of them do. "it is a shame no one ever reached this far, the battle maids never got to shine" Momonga shook his head. Herohero did the same "How do you think I feel? I helped make the maids and especially made Solution Epsilon but never got to see her in action against another player such a shame." Herohero looked at the NPC he mentioned one of the battle maids, a slime. the purple Ooze of his player avatar shook with him from the disappointment.

eventually, they came to the throne room, only Albedo waiting there. the succubus NPC just smiling away. and Herohero noticed something. "wait. that sonofa- Tabula gave Albedo a world item! we had rules for this."

Momonga looked and indeed one of the guild's world items was there. he was initially mad since another player, Tabula Smaragdina did break one of the guilds rules. but he decided to let it go, why even bother now? "it is alright, Albedo was one of Tabula's precious creations."

Herohero grumbled "Well that seems a little unfair. but I suppose it is too late for it to matter." had Tabula been here though he would have chewed his ear out.

Momonga started playing with Albedo's settings. he could not alone change Albedo's character backstory and personality. But he could do so using the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, Ironic since Tabula helped make it. he added "and she is in love with Momonga."

Herohero laughed "Really? Even I am not that desperate." he teased but really he kinda wished he thought of that. Momonga regretted it though silently saying sorry to Tabula.

less than a minute remained until the shutdown. "Thank you for joining me at the end Herohero. really." both watched the counter go down. "It was no problem Momonga. well, it kind of is but after this walk down memory lane I don't regret it."

just as the few seconds went Herohero closed his eyes and waited for the message saying he was logged out due to the shutdown. he heard Momonga say "I would give anything to go on one last adventure with you all. to play this game again..."

Herohero thought it was a nice thought. but it was over. at least it should have been.

"What?" Herohero opened his eyes. The timer was gone but he was still in the throne room. "is there a delay" He said. until he heard some feminine voice say "Is something wrong Lord Herohero?"

Herohero looked in a mix of confusion and horror as he realized Albedo spoke to him. 'no no, must be my mind going crazy. maybe I fell asleep?' he pinched himself but nope he was wide awake. in fact compared to seconds he did not even feel tired. "are you okay? do you need healing?" that came from Sebas and he looked at the Pleiades who were bowed and looking at him. Solution Epsilon looked especially concerned for him. 'wait, they can express?'

"Albedo?" Herohero looked at Albedo, this time seeing her lips move when she spoke "Yes? do you and lord Momonga need something?"

Herohero could feel his slimely body shiver...wait he actually felt how his black Ooze body was?! "Momonga do you know what the hell is going on?!" there was no response. Momonga was not even moving he just remained sitting on the throne. "mo...monga?"

Albedo's cheek went red as she hugged Momonga "Oh no need to be shy my beloved lord Momonga. we can just be alone for now if you want~" Well at least they knew Albedo's changes affected her. but she stopped and also said "Lord...Momonga? you're scaring me and not in a good way."

Herohero heard all the Pleiades stand up and all looked concerned for their dear leader of Nazarick. Hero shook more "This isn't funny anymore Momonga! what the hell is-"

"Stop!" Albedo placed her arm in front of him the moment he got close to the unmoving Momonga. She had this look and for some reason, Herohero felt like it was scorn, but he was sure it was just protectiveness due to her new characteristic of being in love with his guild leader. so he backed off.

"what should we do Lord Herohero?" Yuri Alpha asked while adjusting her glasses.

Herohero had no idea what to do. he thought carefully and thought they see him as an authority figure. and unlike his worthless bosses, he better act like it. "we have to get a better grasp of our situation. Sebas, survey the surrounding area outside of Nazarick and come back as quick as you can, avoid any conflict with anyone outside!" Sebas nodded and walked off. "the rest of you, gather all floor guardians except Victim and Gargantua. and get any NPC with healing or status curing abilities."

all the Pleiades ran to do as they were told, except for Solution Epsilon who moved up and stood between him and Albedo. "Solution...what are you doing?"

"I cannot leave you alone My Lord Herohero and creator. forgive me for going against your orders." Solution Epsilon could feel some animosity from Albedo and she could not understand why, certainly her creator would not have done this to their leader. she was also just so happy to have him around now.

Albedo stared back but said nothing before returning her concerned attention to Momonga.

Herohero would have ordered his creation to leave and do as she was told but the rest of the Pleiades would be enough to do as he asked. he just looked at Momonga. he did not seem dead. his eyes were not hollow just unmoving. like he was frozen in place. this, the NPCs talking, moving lips, and seemingly more self-aware. it was all so much and so confusing.

'Just what the hell is happening here?'